Over the years I have been faced with the question of moving off of small fish in hopes of finding some better quality. At times I have continued to fish the smaller fish hot spot in hopes of some better. Other times I have moved and not gotten another bite the rest of the day. What do you do? Go search for better fish or enjoy the day even tho the fish are small.
(I enjoy it either way but sometimes wonder if the lunker is just over there).

Ice was good by dam had about 4 inch clear nobody else out.

Had thought about going down to knox but just could not resist taking a look at Charles mill. Fished it all day long and just slayed the big bluegill.  Ice was a solid 2-3 inch hard and no water on top edge was a little shakey and ice cleats a must(one other guy fell pretty hard but was ok).  I tied myself off to the shore and went out about 50 or so feet. Fished 6-7 feet of water. bite was best around mid day till 4 I left at 5:30 with 35 keeper gills and 1 perch. Put back at least 75 or more. At times could not keep up with 2 rods. Seemed to prefer gold hook and snap shot rig but little lindy jig shad color worked real well. Fish were from the bottom up about 16 inch jig motion or dead stick did not mater. Lots of hits at first drop. Temp was below freezing most all day. Would not have stayed out if it had warmed up any. The 3 other guys out were after crappie and had no luck.

Thought today would be good. Drove over to pleasent hill did not bother to even check the ice it looked that bad. Lake dropping edges wet.  Headed over to the mill and was surprised that it had not gotten any better since sun. Lake all covered with about 3 inch of slush ice. Spud right thru with one to two hits.  Fished the docks and got a few perch and some nice gill. Not enough action so headed to Sites lake. Hit the ice with the spud and it went right thru slipped out of my hands and was gone. Had that spud for 20 years! Just glad it was not me going in. May be done for the year.

Thought I would give some info on what I use. I fish a lot and on a low budget. I don't always catch them but feel I get my share. To start with I pack my gear on a modified kids sled. I do have 2 tip ups which I use to hold a spot that is good when there are people moving into the area I am fishing. I have 5 rods all with different set ups. One rod has a heavy spoon that I use to find the depth of water. (I don't use electronics). the others are rigged with different ice jigs. I always have one with little gold hook some gold beads and tiny 1/82 oz lead jig head not painted I will tip this with wax worms or salted minnow that gets cut so it is a wiggley little piece. The other 3 will get 1 small jig each a different color to match water conditions.  These get tipped with waxy or minnow.  I change size of piece of bait to find what fish want.  I move around a lot and drill lots of holes. Lake maps are helpful but I will look at the shore line does it come down gradually, is there a point or any visable structures that may be good.  Once fishing I will dead stick one rod the other gets worked up down thump etc. I change up until I get a bite. I always know where my bait is in relation to the bottom.  I did not do well in English class in school so forgive my run ons and spelling. I'll be fishing some place this weekend.

Went down by the dam on Fri. 2in some places 3.5in others. Could not get comfortable on the ice so left for Charles mill. There is fishable ice but be careful.

After Charles mill I went to the damn area to check ice.  Walked down and stuck my spud thru only about 1 inch.